Accessibility and use of essential medicines in health care: Current progress and challenges in India

ABSTRACT

Essential Medicine Concept, a major breakthrough in health care, started in 1977 when World Health Organization (WHO) published its first list. Appropriate use of essential medicines is one of the most cost‑effective components of modern health care. The selection process has evolved from expert evaluation to evidence‑based selection. The first Indian list was published in 1996 and the recent revision with 348 medicines was published in 2011 after 8 years. Health expenditure is less in India as compared to developed countries. India faces a major challenge in providing access to medicines for its 1.2 billion people by focusing on providing essential medicines. In the future, countries will face challenges in selecting high‑cost medicines for oncology, orphan diseases and other conditions. There is a need to develop strategies to improve affordable access to essential medicines under the current health care reform.

KEYWORDS

• Accessibility
• essential medicines
• health expenditures
• India

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Cite this article

• DOI10.4103/0976-500X.107642Copy